Iowa Central draws nearly 200 to Manufacturing Day

October 13, 2013

Iowa Central Community College held its inaugural Manufacturing Day Oct. 4, to help manufacturers begin to address the skilled labor shortage they face across the state and to showcase the existence of jobs in manufacturing with high school and college students, as well as those looking to upgrade their technical skills.

Nearly 200 community members and students attended.

Lindsay Murray was the emcee and organizer for the event. Sen. Daryl Beall, D-Fort Dodge, spoke to the need of providing the resources to community colleges so they can train future manufacturing workers.

A panelist of manufacturing experts explained to the students and business people in the audience how important skilled training is, but as important, if not more so, how essential strong communication and team work skills are to every job in every manufacturing plant.

Panelists were Jamie Danielson from Hy-Capacity, a remanufacturer of agricultural parts in Humboldt; Dave Maxheimer from Hagie Manufacturing, which makes sprayers and other high-clearance ag equipment in Clarion; Jim Ober from Scranton Manufacturing, a waste equipment supplier; and Brenda Martin from the Center for Industrial Research and Science, Iowa State University Extension.

Guest speaker for the event was Matt Steffen, Carver Pump Co.

The day ended with a tour of the Iowa Central manufacturing shops in the industrial technologies department on the main campus and then a tour of the Iowa Central Crimmins' building, which houses the welding technology center.